However, Beaverton citizens have approached the council urging resolutions on corporate finance reform and coal trains at previous meetings and tonight's meeting. The council has yet to take action on those items.

"We'll continue to be asked by citizens" to pass resolutions on policy issues, Stanton said. "We seem to be able to push those aside, and I find that disingenuous."

San Soucie apologized that the resolution was rushed and asked the council to consider the substance of the resolution rather than the process. But it was clear he would not have unanimous support.

"This is not an ends-justify-the-means type of government, or at least it should not be," said City Councilor Ian King.

The money, which would come from the city's portion of a bond passed by Metro, the regional planning agency, was originally intended to pay for the Beaverton Creek Connections project. That project will still be paid for from other revenue sources, said Barbara Fryer, a senior city planner.